Chevron sees new oil shine in Brazil Frade field

RIO DE JANEIRO-Brazilian regulators and officials from the local unit of US oil major Chevron Corp CVX + 0.23% Saturday confirmed that discovered a new oil shine
during a flyover of the Frade offshore oil field.

The gloss of a kilometre and "had a volume of half a litre" expanded, said Chevron in the using statement. The shine was in the area where the company a new filter on the bottom of the sea had identified.

The leak is the second right to strike field Frade since November, when a drilling accident an estimated 2,400 to 3,000 barrels of crude oil leak into the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil's coast of similar leaks caused in the ocean floor.

Chevron and local managers of the company are a $ 11 billion faced criminal action of Rio de Janeiro Federal Prosecutor, as well as heavy fines from regulatory agencies in connection with the spill. Brazil's national petroleum Agency, or ANP, also suspended Chevron drilling rights in this country.

Late Friday, a federal judge granted an injunction blocking 17 of employees of the company, including to leave Chevron Brasil President George buck, Brazil without permission, while the trial continues. Chevron Brasil, but said that neither the company nor the executives of a judicial complaint in Brazil have been formally notified.

"Any judicial decision will be respected by the company and its employees." We the company and its employees will defend, "Said Chevron in the statement."

The latest problem for Chevron Brazil comes operations after the company asked this week stop permission brightness, Frade, which some had produced 61,000 barrels a day. Chevron has the requirement of the "geological complexity" of the Frade, the recoverable study holds reserves of between 200 million and 300 million barrels of oil.

The first seeping March 4, with Chevron notification of the Brazilian authorities March 13, was discovered, the company said. Oil from seeping through specially built containment devices are recorded, Chevron said Saturday. Additional containment devices are installed on demand, added to the company.

The ANP, Brazil's marine and environmental regulators said in a statement Saturday are monitoring and accompanying Chevron efforts to reduce the latest incident the oil shine with mechanical dispersion. Includes usually shoot mechanical dispersion water jets of the sparkle, and testing to break boats over the stain until the oil droplets.

Local authorities and Chevron officials meet early next week discuss the note said the incident with the brilliance of additional flights, to be monitored.

Brazil file charges against Chevron executives for new oil leak

SAO PAULO - Brazilian prosecutors Saturday she said file criminal complaint against 17 executives of Chevron Corp. and drilling contractor Transocean Ltd. for a new oil leak near the city are the offshore well, where late last year spilled at least 110,000 gallon (approximately 416.000).

Affected George buck, Chief Operating Officer for Chevron include Brazilian League, federal prosecutors spokesman Marcelo del Negri said by telephone.

He said prosecutors charges including "Environmental crime" in a Federal Court would continue next week file, but he no information.

As buck he didn't know how many of the executives worked for California-based Chevron and how many for Transocean, the drilling contractor for the well where the leak occurred last year.

Prosecutors also said the Court to prohibit the 17 from leaving the country, he.

A spokeswoman for Chevron in Brazil said that the company had no comment because it had not the decision. You asked to be identified in accordance with the internal rules.

On Thursday, Chevron confirmed that it a "small new oil seep" and that it worked, to collect the crude oil.

The size of the new leaks is known as ANP explain Brazil's national petroleum unknown, agency, said that the leak was found, because an oil spill at sea appeared.

A spokesperson for ANP said the new leak is "not out of the well;" It is sealed. It seems on the seabed in the vicinity of wells, of fissures come "where the leak occurred last year." She spoke on condition of anonymity, say that she were not authorized to discuss the matter.

Chevron has ANP for the access for all production activities simply asked, says, that he would like to perform a "comprehensive technical study" better understand the Lakes, where it is drilling.

IBAMA, Brazil's environmental protection agency said in a statement on its website, up to 20 March, "detailed" Chevron information on measures to reduce the environmental impact has written the new leaks.

The new leak is another challenge for plans, ensure the offshore oil extract, that Brazil has seen in recent years. It is estimated that at least 50 billion barrels of oil off Brazil's coast, the greatest discoveries in America over three decades lie.

Oil began leaking cracks on the ocean floor at the site of a Chevron assessment good last November 7, about 230 miles (370 kilometers) off the northeastern coast of Rio de Janeiro State. About two weeks later, said ANP, the leak under control.

However, experts warned that there was a high risk of oil seepage continue.

Chevron was then said that the spill occurred because it underestimated the pressure in an underwater reservoir.

He said that crude oil caused to rush to a bore and finally escape into the surrounding sea floor. The oil leaked by at least seven narrow cracks on the ocean floor, at 160 feet (50 meters) of the head good.

Work on the field of Frade in the Campos Basin the leaks occurred under Chevron "largest investments," according to the website of the company.

The field produces close to 62,000 barrels of oil per day.

Production potential raised at Carioca discovery, offshore Brazil

BG Group reported an extended well test (EWT) had increased the production potential of the Carioca discovery located on the BM-S-9 concession in the Santos Basin, offshore Brazil.

Results from the EWT in progress at the well 3-SPS-74, known as Carioca Nordeste, indicate potential production of approximately 28 000 barrels of oil per day (bopd), above initial expectations. The well, which is connected to the FPSO Dynamic Producer, is currently producing 23 400 bopd, constrained by facilities.

The potential of the Carioca area was further underlined by results from the 4-BRSA-973A-SPS well, informally known as Abare, located 35 kilometres south of the discovery well 1-BRSA-491-SPS (Carioca) and 293 kilometres off the coast of Sao Paulo state.

Wireline samples showed good quality oil at Abare, about 28 degrees API, in carbonate reservoirs at a depth of about 4 830 metres. A drill stem formation test is planned to evaluate the productivity of the interval.

Five wells have now been drilled in the Carioca area in addition to the completion of two formation tests. This fulfills the evaluation commitments required by the National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).

Given the promising results at Carioca, the consortium intends to do more appraisal work to further evaluate the area's full potential.

To allow this, the ANP has approved a revision of activities and has extended the deadline for a Declaration of Commerciality from November 2011 to 31 December 2013. There is no change to the consortium's plans and schedule for development and production.

BG Group has a 30% interest in Block BM-S-9 which is comprised of two appraisal areas - Guara and Carioca (Petrobras 45%, operator and Repsol Sinopec 25%).

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